Research in the DZD

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the German population. Approximately six million people have been diagnosed with the disease, and experts estimate an equally high number of undiagnosed cases. Moreover, due to increasing life expectancy and changes in lifestyle and diet, the number of people with diabetes mellitus is growing steadily, and they are developing diabetes earlier in life. To counteract this dramatic trend, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the research activities of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD). The aim is to develop improved preventive and therapeutic strategies against diabetes mellitus.

Elucidation of molecular mechanismsThe development of diabetes mellitus is a complex process: over the years a multifaceted interaction of genes, lifestyle and environmental factors leads to the disease. Understanding these relationships is a prerequisite for the development of effective preventive measures and therapies.

Collaboration in researchLeading research institutions have joined forces in the German Center for Diabetes Research to carry out innovative collaborative projects. Through the establishment and shared use of technology and study platforms (DZD infrastructure) as well as the wide range and high level of expertise within the DZD, research findings shall be transferred more rapidly into medical practice for the benefit of the patients.

Specific research topics of the DZDRead more about the research activities carried out in the German Center for Diabetes Research:

The Partners:

Podcast

To find out more, listen to the podcast (in German only) with Professor Hrabĕ de Angelis, director of the Institute of Experimental Genetics at Helmholtz Zentrum München and member of the board of directors of the German Center for Diabetes Research. Here he discusses important aspects of research conducted in the DZD.To the Podcast